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Queens and Kings win volleyball season opener in Ponoka

The St. Augustine senior volleyball squads had a solid season-opener against Penhold
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St. Augustine’s senior girls Queens are looking at a strong volleyball season with much of the team having experience in club volleyball over the last few years. The girls played Penhold Sept. 12 winning in three strong sets. Photo submitted

A win and a win for the St. Augustine senior girls and boys volleyball squads may forecast what their season will look like.

The Queens and Kings played their first games of the season against Penhold Sept. 12 at home with the girls walking away with a solid win. Coach Darren Josephison said the Queens won three straight games to a less experienced Penhold team.

The Queens are relatively young, explained Josephison, with seven Grade 10s, two Grade 11s and three Grade 12s. The difference, however, is that many of the athletes have been playing club volleyball and their experience shows on the court.

“This crop of Grade 10s, I basically refer to them as the young guns, they have been playing club together since Grade 6,” said Josephison.

That skill set helped the Queens win silver at a 20-team tournament in Camrose recently. “They’re not your typical Grade 10s, they’re strong.”

Looking at the upcoming season, the Queens are most-likely going to face a few strong teams in the eight-team league with Rimbey, David Thompson and Pigeon Lake being the ones to beat.

“We could finish anywhere in there,” said Josephison.

What should help the Queens this year is a passion to play with no hesitation. “They play pretty fearless. That’s probably their strength is the skill set of serving and hitting that some of them have.”

Kings working on play development

For the Kings, a win at the home opener was exciting.

Coach Justin Florean said the boys won 3-1 in sets. The team is relatively new to the game with a few Grade 12s just getting into the sport for the first time.

“The main thing for us is controlling the play,” said Florean. “We’re not that tall so we have to force the other side to give us easier plays back.”

Looking at the season Florean says Camrose is hosting provincials, which should allow for the three top teams to compete at zones. He looks forward to the challenge as the Kings have made it to zones the past few years.

Provincials will be a challenge, explained Florean, but he looks forward to developing the team and seeing where they end up at the end of the season.

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Kings’ co-captain AJ Perez makes a strong serve Sept. 12 during a match against Penhold. The Kings won 3-1. Photo submitted